No one knows exactly what is going to happen this coming season with kickoffs with the new rules changes. However, according to Arizona Cardinals special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers, it could benefit a few of the team’s best special teams players could benefit — players like Budda Baker, Rudy Ford and Elijhaa Penny, all of whom covered kicks well last season.

“One of the things you try to do as a coach is figure out how to get their best guys blocked,” Rodgers said, via AZCentral Sports’ Kent Somers. “A lot of times people would combat (with the strategy), if you have a great coverage player, don’t even try to block him up front. Let him run to 600 pounds worth of wedge waiting on him. See how he effective he is going against those guys.

“The coverage guys are protected for 15 yards, to the 50-yard line. They are no longer even considering somebody attack-blocking them. That doesn’t exist anymore. The really elite coverage guys are going to figure out, ‘man, all I have to do is beat a block and get to the second level, and there is somebody waiting on me who looks a lot like me. It’s not a 300-pound person I’ve got to hit.'”

Baker had 16 special teams tackles in 2017, earning him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors as a special teamer. Penny had 11 and Ford had five in 10 games before landing on injured reserve.

Without wedge blocks to try and keep coverage players from getting to the returner, it is possible we will see even more special teams tackles by the Cardinals’ best coverage players, and making plays deeper in opposing teams’ territory.

Of course, without any games yet with the new rules, there is a lot yet to be seen. The preseason will be slightly more intriguing in that phase.